Interface considerations on multiple prime contractor construction projects

Most building construction programs involve a single prime construction contractor who subcontracts the specialty construction work. Sometimes for financial, schedule, or jobsite control reasons, an owner will choose not to use a single prime contractor and instead enter into multiple construction contracts directly with traditional trade subcontractors. Unless carefully pre-planned and executed, construction delivery using multiple prime contractors can result in project budget and schedule overruns because of questions of responsibilities for contractors and disagreements as to included scopes of work. This paper outlines by type of work, specific items that should be considered by an owner, construction manager, and/or designer when establishing the scopes for the various trade contracts on a multiple prime contractor project.